IT is set to become one of the most exclusive golf projects in Europe.

The purchase of emblematic Valderrama golf course by the development company Zagaleta is the fusing of two prestigious Spanish giants.

A new megaproject, taking in 200 hectares of rolling virgin hillside, in the Castellar municipality, is the perfect sign that the Spanish property market is finally booming again.

Zagaleta, just outside Marbella, is Spain’s most luxurious residential development counting Hugh Grant and the mayor of Moscow among its residents, while Valderrama’s golf course has known international prestige since it hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup as well as the now defunct Volvo Masters.

Developers Zagaleta Limited, based in London, are the new landlords of the Valderrama group including the golf club in San Roque, as well as an expanse of land in the neighbouring Castellar municipality.

The Valderrama Golf Club are now tenants of Zagaleta and have the lease of the club until 2050 and will continue to control its runnings.

La Zagaleta

The Valderrama purchase itself is reported to be €40 million, while the total investment, building another Championship golf complex ‘of the highest level’ is set to reach around €240 million.

The project, called ‘Valderrama 2’, is set to include a hotel and possibly some residential homes built to the standard in La Zagaleta’s, where homes start from around €3 million and where President Putin of Russia is said to own property.

Local estate agent Ben Bateman, of Holmes Sotogrande described the deal as ‘a very interesting fusion of two famous brands.’

The agent, who has known about the sale for some time and even shown potential clients around the course, added: “The quality of Zagaleta is integral here, and given the new ownership of Sotogrande itself, it’s very exciting news for the whole area.”

The project will unfold over the next decade, and La Zagaleta group has expressed its cooperation with the Real Club Valderrama, to preserve the exclusivity that the brand has built up over many years to become a European landmark.

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Hmm. I thought the Putin rumour had been quashed long ago! What is not mentioned is that most of the properties on La Zagaleta are on sale. As for privacy at Valderrama how will that work with a large hotel and residential development….huh!

‘Developers Zagaleta Limited, based in London, have purchased the Valderrama group including the golf course in San Roque, as well as an expanse of land in the neighbouring Castellar municipality.’ If the latter is true, then the Rio Hozgarganta will be crossed by the planned Valderrama 2 project. Therefor parts of the typical Spanish rural landscape besides San Martín de Tesorillo will disappear and will be replaced by another boring foreclosed and water consuming golf course for the upper class.

Staying power for any business on the Costa del Sol is an achievement in itself. Reaching 10 years has to be a testament to quality journalism and a happy readership, the Olive Press definitely ticks both boxes. Sunset Beach Club are delighted to have been a part of this success and here’s looking forward to another 10 years of entertaining and informative news.

Mark Wardell

Manager, Sunset Beach Club hotel

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“The best English newspaper in southern Spain,” according to the Rough Guide. The Olive Press is the English language newspaper for Andalucia. Local news from Costa del Sol and inland Andalucia plus national news from around Spain. A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge and growing expatriate community in southern Spain – 230,000 copies distributed monthly (160,000 digital impressions) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month.